The more you ride, the more you begin to understand the culture rooted in a place and the depth of its character. That is true almost anywhere in the world. Yet somehow, Ehime Prefecture has a way of making you feel that it might be something special.Over the course of seven days, Australian cyclists repeatedly expressed their amazement at the roads that traverse every corner of the landscape—from the wave-lapped coastline to mountain ranges rising more than 1,500 meters above sea level.Here is the final installment of the Cycling Monitor Tour 2025, presented by photographer and cyclist Eigo Shimojo. Text & Photos by Eigo Shimojo You can read Article #01 and 02 here.🚴‍♂️Ehime Prefecture […]

Last autumn, a group of Australian cyclists arrived in Ehime Prefecture—globally renowned as a cycling mecca. The participants, active in their respective fields as media professionals, travel industry staff, and influencers, all share a deep love of cycling and the outdoors in their daily lives. Throughout the journey, they repeatedly exclaimed “Amazing!” at Ehime’s cycling environment.Here is the second installment of this six-night, seven-day monitor tour, brought to you in an accompanying report by photographer—and fellow cyclist—Eigo Shimojo.Having ridden Tour de France routes and the mountainous terrain of Italy, what unique appeal did they discover in this region? Text & Photos by […]

On a crisp autumn day, a group of foreign cyclists arrived at Matsuyama Airport, each carrying a bike bag over their shoulder. They had come from Australia’s major cities—Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane—representing a diverse mix of media professionals, travel agency staff, and influencers. All had been invited to take part in Ehime’s now-annual press tour circling the prefecture. A glance at the itinerary revealed just how ambitious this year’s program would be. Alongside classics such as the Shimanami Kaido and the legendary UFO Line, the route included a major climb through the dramatic landscapes of the Shikoku Karst, a coastal ride along the rias shoreline of Nanyo, a tour of Cape Sada, and […]

*This page contains a promotion in collaboration with Jetstar Airways. On September 14, 2025, the Port Douglas Gran Fondo came to a successful close. The course was filled with spots that truly captured the essence of Australia—from the Pacific coastal highway surrounded by diverse vegetation to roads lined with towering ant hills and peaceful farmland offering glimpses of local life. Unfortunately, the cycling event ended this year, but the running event is set to return next year, bigger and better.The day after the event, our editorial team—who had completed the 100 km ride—set out on another cycling trip around Port Douglas together with Ayano and Youhei, an architect couple from Brisban […]

*This page contains a promotion in collaboration with Jetstar Airways. In September 2025, the Global Ride editorial team arrived at Cairns International Airport in Queensland to cover the ride-and-run event, the Port Douglas Gran Fondo. Arriving just before 5 a.m. local time, we passed through the immigration gates to find the airport bustling with visitors from Japan, all eager to see the UNESCO World Heritage-listed coral reefs and tropical rainforests. Jetstar’s direct flights, which allow passengers to sleep on the plane and arrive early in the morning, are especially popular. After landing, travelers can take a bus or rental car to their destination and enjoy a relaxed first day. With o […]

*This page contains a promotion in collaboration with Jetstar Airways. In September 2025, our editorial team headed to Cairns in Queensland, Australia. The purpose? To take part in the “Port Douglas Gran Fondo” ride-and-run event (https://portdouglasgranfondo.com.au/). Now in its fourth year, the highlight of this event is undoubtedly its stunning highway route that runs along the Pacific coast—home to the world’s largest coral reef, the Great Barrier Reef. In this series, we’ll bring you a three-part story of cycling in Cairns—before, during, and after the event—featuring the exclusive highway ride, the vast natural beauty of Queensland, fresh local cuisine, and fascinating historical landm […]

From environmental values to cycling gear — rooted in philosophy. The term “sustainable development” was coined during international conferences in the 1980s, eventually leading to the adoption of the “SDGs” by the United Nations in 2015. A decade on, even Japan—once slow to adapt—is finding that “eco-friendly” has become such a given, it’s almost a dead phrase. Today’s buzzwords have shifted from “sustainable” to “regenerative,” calling for an even deeper commitment. In a time when the planet is in crisis, consumer goods are overflowing, and the waste we see around us is overwhelming, the desire to say “But I still want to enjoy life” or “I still want to ride my bike!” resonates more than e […]

Here is the second part of Brisbane-based cyclist Ayaka’s ride report on the 2025 Tour de Brisbane. Last year, Ayaka and Yoshi, her partner, challenged the 80km course; this year, they enjoyed the 50km fun ride. From a local cyclist’s perspective, Ayaka shares her experience of this large-scale Australian cycling event, which takes over public roads and bus lanes usually used for everyday transport. Read the first part here: Table of Contents6  Riding Through Rain-Washed Brisbane7  Highlights of the 50km Course8  Atrractions of the 80km Course9  Diverse Participants and Their Unique Ways of Enjoying the Ride10  A Relaxed and Festive Atmosphere at the Finish11  Participating from Japan12  Att […]